The ripple of the water as boats glides along, the wave of bullrushes in the gentle breeze and the buzz of dragonflies as they skim over the river’s surface – the Norfolk Broads are a spectacular setting for a holiday firmly in the slow lane. But where to stay?
Spanning 117 square miles, the Norfolk Broads National Park is peppered with pretty villages, idyllic waterscapes and rolling meadows under a giant sky. To help you plan your holiday in the East of England, we’ve rounded up 6 of the best places in the Norfolk Broads which will inspire long, languid days on the water.
Read on for our list, or click the button below to browse our Norfolk Broads cottages.
Norfolk Broads cottages
Wroxham: best for a family holiday
Where better to begin exploring this national park than the Capital of the Norfolk Broads: Wroxham? As the hub of the Broads – and one of the best places to stay in Norfolk – Wroxham has a huge variety of places where you can hire boats and explore the tranquil waterways of the national park at your leisure, stopping in at some picturesque waterside pubs along the way.
That’s not all you can get up to in this beloved village. When you’ve had your fill of waterside adventures, take a trip on a steam train instead and admire the pretty Broadland countryside as the train chugs its way to Aylsham. You can also spend family days out together at the verdant Hoveton Hall Gardens during the season, while Wroxham Miniature Worlds is the perfect rainy-day activity. And you can't leave Wroxham without a visit to the famous Roy's of Wroxham, a Norfolk institution which some say is the largest village store in the whole country!
Highlights
- Hoveton Hall Gardens – open from spring to autumn, these beautiful gardens have eight distinct areas and a lovely café too
- Bure Valley Railway – travel by steam train to Aylsham on Norfolk’s longest narrow-gauge railway
- Wroxham Miniature Worlds – marvel at 10,000 square feet of model railways at the largest indoor modelling attraction in the UK
Wroxham cottages
Reedham: best for taking it slow
On the banks of the gently meandering River Yare, Reedham has a tranquil, unique atmosphere all of its own, making it a brilliant destination if you’re wondering where to stay on the Norfolk Broads for a relaxing retreat. It’s famous for its chain ferry which allows drivers to cross the Yare and avoid a 30-mile diversion. Just next door to the ferry is a well-regarded pub of the same name, which is a lovely spot to sit, sip a pint of the local ale and watch the cars come and go.
If you’re holidaying with kids and looking for something slightly more exciting, little ones will go wild for a day at Pettitts Animal Adventure Park where they can meet animals such as California king snakes, African pygmy goats and European eagle owls, as well as enjoying a wide range of rides.
Highlights
- Reedham Ferry – cross the River Yare in style on this historic chain ferry, or watch from the pub next door
- Pettitts Animal Adventure Park – a family-friendly day out with animals, rides and entertainment
- Wherryman’s Way – running through Reedham, this long-distance walking trail is the perfect way to soak up the Broads scenery
Reedham cottages
Beccles: best for getting on (and in) the water
One of the best places to visit in the Norfolk Broads is actually over the county border in Suffolk, situated in the lesser known (but no less lovely) southern Broads. On the banks of the River Waveney, Beccles is a charming market town with many beautiful red-brick buildings, but its real charms lie on the water.
Jump on the Big Dog Ferry for a sedate trip downriver to Geldeston, where you can jump off and enjoy a pint at the community-owned pub right on the waterfront before the return trip. Or tour the river under your own steam by hiring all manner of watercraft from Three Rivers Pitch and Paddle. And if it’s not enough to simply be on the water, why not get in it and enjoy a swim at Beccles Lido? Historically, the lido was a fenced-off section of the river but is now a heated and chlorinated open-air haven right by the waterside.
Highlights
- Beccles Lido – an open-air pool right by the river that’s open all year round for delightful dips
- Big Dog Ferry – explore a peaceful stretch of the Waveney on this ferry that runs between the Lido and the Locks pub in Geldeston
- Three Rivers Pitch and Paddle – hire stand-up paddleboards, boats and kayaks and take to the water!
Beccles cottages
Horning: best for variety
If you’re looking for the best places to stay in the Norfolk Broads for a varied holiday, make sure you visit Horning. On the pretty River Bure, between the Bure Marshes National Nature Reserve and Hoveton Little Broad, Horning is a picturesque place to stay with plenty to see and do to keep all ages entertained.
As well as meandering the many waterways to the south of the village, you can fill your days by visiting the many nearby attractions. Little ones can run wild and let their imaginations follow at BeWILDerwood, one of Norfolk’s best family-friendly attractions, which is just outside the village – the huge forest site is packed with activities, adventure and stories. For more outdoor fun, visit Burnt Fen Alpacas to walk with the resident alpacas, have afternoon tea or even do yoga with them! And if you need a rainy-day activity, take a step back in time at the RAF Air Defence Radar Museum where you can learn all about the role of radar throughout the 20th century.
Highlights
- BeWILDerwood – run wild in this woodland adventure that will delight both the young and young at heart
- Burnt Fen Alpacas – whether you choose an alpaca walk, afternoon tea, art or yoga, this animal experience will live long in the memory
- RAF Air Defence Radar Museum – learn about the birth of radar, step inside the Cold War room and see Tornado and Jaguar cockpits at this fascinating museum
Horning cottages
Ranworth: best for nature
Nestled between two broads, one of which is a nature reserve, Ranworth is one of the best places on the Norfolk Broads for reconnecting with the natural world. Spend the day boating on the serene Malthouse Broad – which Ranworth and its pretty staithe overlook – before refreshing yourself in the Maltsters pub and soaking up the views.
Then, visit Ranworth Broad which is closed to boats making it a haven for nature. Walk the boardwalk looking out for wildfowl, otters and swallowtail butterflies, before visiting the floating Broads Wildlife Centre to learn more about the creatures that call this broad home. For more nature, the 130-acre Fairhaven Woodland and Water Garden offers 4 miles of pathways through a tranquil setting on the edge of South Walsham Broad, just south of Ranworth.
Highlights
- Broads Wildlife Centre – this floating, thatched building on Ranworth Broad has interactive displays and a viewing area
- Fairhaven Woodland & Water Garden – explore a variety of walks including the Butterfly Walk, Kingfisher Walk and the Broads Walk at this pretty Broadland garden
- St Helen’s Church – climb to the top of the ‘Cathedral of the Broads’ to enjoy the spectacular views over five broads and towards the coast
St Olaves: best for leisure
On the edge of the Broads, straddling the River Waveney on the Norfolk/Suffolk border, St Olaves is a lesser-known Broadland village that’s perfect for a holiday between the national park and the coast. The small village boasts a beautiful pub – the Bell Inn – with a suntrap beer garden overlooking the river, but there are also many leisure pursuits nearby making this a great base for your Broads adventure.
Set amongst 400 acres, Caldecott Hall offers two 18-hole golf courses that welcome visitors at certain times of the week. Also close to St Olaves is Fritton Lake which offers a wide programme of bookable water sports including open water swimming, stand-up paddleboarding and lake safaris. Or, visit Somerleyton Hall to wander the 12 acres of gardens and navigate the famous hedge maze amongst the backdrop of the stunning Jacobean manor house.
Highlights
- Caldecott Hall – a country club in a bucolic setting that golf lovers will adore
- Fritton Lake – the lake is a playground for water sports fanatics looking for outdoor adventures
- Somerleyton Hall – visit this grand Jacobean manor house with acres of breathtaking gardens, which doubled as Sandringham in The Crown
Stay with us in the Norfolk Broads
Whether you dream of traversing the tranquil waterways of the Broads or staying on dry land and visiting the many attractions within this stunning national park, we have a wide range of places to stay near the Norfolk Broads that can provide the perfect base for your next holiday. Click the button below to browse our full collection.
Norfolk Broads cottages